Russian S-400 missile systems, which will be delivered to Turkey under the bilateral deal, pose no threat to the NATO, as all necessary changes to the Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) system will be made, Turkish Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Monday.

"The Identification Friend-or-Foe system will be changed in this S-400 system, which is set to be delivered to Turkey in 2019. It will not represent any threat for NATO," Canikli said.

The IFF identification system allows the military to identify friendly forces and equipment.

Ankara's deal with Russia on S-400 supplies was inked in September. On the same month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Ankara had already paid a deposit for the Russian air defence systems. Turkey's Undersecretary for Defence Industries Ismail Demir said in late September that the deliveries of S-400 to Turkey were expected to begin within two years.

NATO’s Military Committee Chairman Gen. Petr Pavel has, however, expressed concerns over the deal, warning Turkey that it may face consequences if it procures the Russian military equipment. On November 12, Canikli pointed out that the purchase had been completed.